Spring key holder



Dec. 22, 1936. SZABCS I 2,064,862

SPRING KEY HOLDER Fi led May 7, 1954 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT DFFIQE 1 Claim.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a key holder from which a key may be drawn to unlock a lock and which, when the key is released, will draw the key backward thereto.

The invention is a coil spring in a container with a clip for holding the container to the upper edge of a garment and means for holding keys to an extending end of the coil spring.

Many devices have been provided for holding keys in pockets or in cases, however, in all cases it is necessary to return the key to the pocket or case by hand.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means for mechanically returning the key or keys after a lock has been unlocked or locked.

Another object is to provide a casing with a coil spring therein in which the coil spring is adapted to return the keys attached to the end thereof to the casing.

Another object is to provide a clip for holding the device to the upper edge of trousers or the like which may readily be snapped over the upper edge of the garment and rigidly held thereto.

A further object is to provide a key holder comprising a coil spring in a casing in which a governor is provided for holding the spring coiled.

And a still further object is to provide a key holder for automatically returning keys thereto which is of a simple and economical construction.

With these ends in view the invention embodies a casing, a coil spring in the casing with the inner end secured to the casing, and an outer projecting end adapted to hold keys or the like, and a clip for securing said casing to the upper edge of trousers or any garment.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing a side elevation of the case looking toward the side on which the clip is mounted, and with the clip in a horizontal position.

Figure 2 is a view looking toward one side of the case as indicated by the lines 2-2 and with the clip turned through an angle of to the position indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-section through the casing on line 33 of Figure 1 with the cylinder forming the shaft shown in full lines, and with tape partially extended.

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the case looking toward the opposite side of the case to that upon which the clip is mounted, as indicated by the lines 4-4 in Figure 3.

In the drawing the holder 1 is shown as it would be made, wherein numeral l indicates the casing, numeral 2 a spring, and numeral 3 a clip by which the casing may be supported.

The device may be formed with discs forming the sides and a band connecting the edges providing a cup-shaped casing 4 having a cover 5 with an extending flange 6, the edge of which may be drawn slightly inward, so that as it is forced over the casing 4 it will grip and hold, so that it will remain in place. The inner parts are formed with a central cylindrical shaft 1 having a portion 8 which may be held in an opening 9 in the part 4 of the casing l, and the part 8 is provided with an extending pin ID, which may extend through an opening II in the back l2 of the clip 3, so that the clip may be freely mounted and may rotate freely about the center. The end ID of the pin may be peaned over to prevent the clip coming off of the pin. The opposite end of the shaft 1 engages the inner surface of the cover 5, as shown.

The spring 2 is formed with a roll l3 at the inner end, which may be inserted in an eccentrically positioned opening [4 in the shaft 1, in which a slot I5 is provided, through which the end of the spring passes. The opposite end of the spring passes out of the casing through a slot I6 and the material forming one end of the slot may be curved slightly outward, as shown at the point ll, to provide a smooth surface to engage the tape or spring. It will be understood that this curved edge or surface may be formed in any manner and the slot or opening may also be formed in any manner or by any means.

The clip 3 is rotatably attached to the casing l, as hereinbefore described, and the inner part [2 is provided with extending flanges having corrugated edges 18, which will engage the material of the garment and the outer part 19 of the clip is provided with teeth 20, to grip and hold on the garment. A ring 2| is provided on the end of the spring or tape.

It will be understood that other changes may be made in the construction without departing from the spirit of the invention. One of these changes may be in the use of other means for resiliently returning a comparatively long member to a position within a casing, another may be in the use of other means for holding the spring or returning member, and still another may be in the use of the device for any other purpose.

The construction will be readily understood from the foregoing description. In use the device may be provided as shown and described and it will be noted that the casing may be attached to the upper edge of the trousers by placing the clip 3 over the upper edge. The keys may be suspended from the casing, as shown in Figure 1, and when it is desired to use a key, the keys are drawn outward by hand, and after the key is used, it is released and the member 2 will draw it back to the casing or to the position shown in Figure 1. This device may be made of any material and of any color and. may be adapted to be used with light or heavy garments, or for small or large keys. It may also be used for holding a watch, purse, or for any purpose.

The spring tape 2 may be made of spring steel, or of any material, may be of any color or of any design, and may be plain or may be graduated to form a rule, or the graduations may be in feet and inches with the fractions thereof, or as may be desired.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

As an article of manufacture, a relatively thin cylindrical casing consisting only of two discs forming side plates connected at their edges with a band, and having a post at the center and a slot in said band, a spiral spring positioned in said casing with the inner end attached to said post and with the outer end extending through the slot in said band, one end of said post extending through one of the sides of said casing, and a U-shaped spring clip having holding means in the open ends thereof pivotally mounted on the end of said post extending through the side of said casing and positioned across said casing with the ends substantially Within the diametrical limits thereof, and said spring having a ring in the outer end thereof.

NICKOLAUS szABo. 

